Holyoke, MA - The Valley Blue Sox had great offensive success in their 14-11 victory over the Sanford Mainers. Valley (16-19) had the bats going early thanks to shortstop Michael Elko and right fielder Isaac Wachsmann, however, Sanford (18-18) started the offensive explosion first. 

In the top of the first, Mainers' Zack Kent singled up the middle to score Domenico Tozzi. Peter Keblinsky scored an earned run on an E2 by Hayden Perry and Kent scored unearned. Sanford had a dominant top of the second inning, scoring four more insurance runs thanks to wild pitches and an error by the Blue Sox. 

Valley found their footing in the bottom of the inning. It started with Wyatt Hunt being hit by a pitch which was followed by Andrew Loikits’ double. An E6 error occurred which allowed Hunt to score and Loikits to advance to third. Kai Cunningham then singled into center field scoring Loikits. Cunningham found his way down to second base on a nice steal and was then driven in to score off of a single by Chris Carson. It was now 7-3 at the end of two innings. 

Sanford acquired two runners on first and second before Sam Miller nuked a three run home run shot into left field to make it 10-3 heading into the bottom of the third.

Just when it looked like the Blue Sox were going to be crushed by the Mainers, Valley had an incredible offensive explosion. Wachsmann crushed a homer into left field to start the scoring frenzy. Nichoals Spaventa and Hunt walked and then Loikits reached first base on an E1 which allowed Spaventa to score to make it 10-5. Cunningham hit a sac ground out to score Hunt and advance Loikits. Hayden Perry walked to reach first. Carson drove a ball into left center to score Loikits and advance Perry to third. Then Michael Elko came to the plate. Elko ripped a triple into right field scoring Perry, Carson and himself on a E4 to tie the game at 10-10. Wachsmann came up to bat for the second time that inning and crushed a homer into the same exact spot as before to give Valley their first lead of the night 11-10 to end the inning. 

Wachsmann was hyped about his home runs. “There was not a lot going through my head [during the home runs.] I was just trying to put together good at bats and help the team get back into the game.”

Valley’s Head Coach Endy Morales was impressed with Wachsmann’s performance. “He’s a super talented guy and when pitchers make mistakes and when facing really good hitters, you make them pay, that’s just the name of the game right there.”

More scoring occurred in the bottom of the fourth. Hunt tripled which was then followed by Lokits walking and stealing second. Cunningham then walked to load the bases up. Perry’s sac ground out scored Hunt and advanced Loikits to third. Carson walked and then Elko slapped a double off the center field wall to drive in Loikits and Carson. The Blue Sox were now up 14-10.

Sanford was ultimately not able to catch up to Valley’s explosive offensive momentum as the game ended 14-11 in favor of the Blue Sox. 

Morales was hyped about the win. “Absoutley incredible [game]. I told the [team] in the second inning this game was going to be a dog fight and they responded,” Morales said. 

The Blue Sox have quite a bit of time off due to the upcoming 2025 New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game. Valley travels to Bristol to take on the Blues on Wednesday July 23. at 6:30 p.m. in search of another victory.